In short: Fab for first timers!In full: Having done the beginner distance last year, I decided to step it up a gear and do the challenge this year. It wasn't that much worse....you get the jelly legs feeling after the transition whichever distance you do! Organisation was good, definitely helped having the extra porta-loos this year (I did New Forest). One minor gripe - I do like getting a medal (I know it was on the t shirt but that's not the same to me!)If you're thinking of trying a duathlon, definitely choose this one to have a go, you'll be glad you did.Date of review: July 16, 2011

In short: Brilliant first time experienceIn full: Well organised, good location (although I didn't expect to meet cows on the road whilst cycling!) I want to do another one now....Date of review: June 23, 2011

In short: Brilliant race! Perfect for first-timersIn full: This was my first duathlon and I am hooked! The organisation was brilliant, the atmosphere fantastic, and the marshals cheerful and encouraging. Absolutely worth the 5am start to get there on time :-)Date of review: September 10, 2010

In short: A very friendly feel - perfect for duathlon virgins!In full: (Review of Bristol 30K event) - As a runner who is looking to dip their toe into the world of multi-sport; this was ideal. It was women-only, so no egos (!) and very beginner friendly. It didn't feel at all itimidating so I didn't feel like a complete numpty when I turned up on my old mountain bike! Registration was easy and all the staff at the start had a big friendly smile on their faces. During the race briefing I was worried that I didn't understand the route, but apart from counting my laps, it was very easy. The only real complaint was the the distances were completely wrong - I had my Garmin on me and the run was just over 2 miles and extra distance on the bike made it up to 30k. (Ok - I might have been a bit relieved when I was doing that final run, but there's no point in advertising it as 5k when it isn't!) I live just off the Downs so even if my Garmin was wrong, it's a route I do all the time so I know it's short; eg - the 5k Race for Life covers the other half of the Downs across Stoke Road. If I were a decent cyclist, the turn around points would annoy me, but I can appreciate that otherwise the race would need to close Stoke Road, which is very disprutive to traffic. It was expensive, but I think that's part of moving from running races to multi-sport unfortunately. Post-race massage was REALLY good and the bottle of chilled water was much appreciated along with some great snacks. Will be back next year - having had 1 and 2 months of cycling to my name, rather than the very un-prepared 2 months of cycling I did for this event!Date of review: June 28, 2010

In short: Good first duathlon, shame the distances were quite out.In full: Overall a good race - brilliant for first timers (like me) and the option of two distances was nice as well (5km/20km/5km or 2.5km/10km/2.5km).

My biggest issues with the race was the measurements and the course. The '5km' run was much closer to 3.5km (otherwise I've mananged to improve from 9:30 minute miles to 7 minute miles in a matter of weeks!) and the '20km' cycle was probably closer to 22km. It would've been nice to have some km markers for the run route as well. The cycle route for the challenge distance was 4 loops, so it got a bit boring after a while, and with 2 180 degree turns per loop, it mean slowing right down eight times over the course.

But the race was well organised - everything was well explained (as for the majority of the entrants this was their first duathlon), free massage before and after was a nice touch and there were a fair few marshalls too - all of which were very encouraging and supportive. The goodie bag was really good (perhaps where the £36 entry fee was spent!), including a medal, t-shirt, magazine, several food samples etc.

I'd really hope that the distance issue would be sorted next time, infact I'd probably try one of the other events in the series (I went to the Bristol one), to avoid the repetitive cycle route. But overall, I would recomend this event to a beginner - a good first time event and a lot less scary than I thought my first duathlon would be!Date of review: June 27, 2010

In short: My first Duathlon and what a great experience !!!In full: Had to get up at 5 o’clock to make this work but that was the only downside to the whole experience. First time competing in an event of this kind and it really was beginner friendly but competitive enough to get an adrenalin rush and best of all really cracking fun !!!! It started on time, safety brief was clear and concise and the transition area was well organised for good flow, there was even free massage pre and post event. The ‘Challenge’ wave set off first, then the ‘Beginner’ wave were off just 3 minutes later so no hanging around for any of the competitors. It was a blistering hot day so an 8.30am start was fantastic and it meant you still had a whole afternoon to enjoy or use to recuperate in my case.After the event I was chatting with some ladies with GPS running watches who told me the 5K running leg was short, shame really as I thought I’d run the first 5K fast but that explains that one. As I don’t use any gizmos, distance markers may have been handy, especially for a beginner like me. My teenage daughter took part in the ‘Beginner’ level and she also really enjoyed herself. She was definitely more at ease with an all female field of competitors.I’m not sure that either of us are brave enough or fit enough to enter the world of triathlons but we’d both love, love, love to do this again next year. Sorry……it seems you’re stuck with us Bristol ! A big thank you to the organisers and marshals !!!Date of review: June 27, 2010

In short: Lovely location, well organisedIn full: A lovely place to run a race, very well organised and truly beginner-friendly on the shorter distance but good racing and PB potential in the full race. Lovely quiet lanes for the cycle, suitable for road bikes, not pot-holey as I was expecting! And you get a t-shirt at the end!!! Highly ercommende for experienced racers and beginners alike.Date of review: June 14, 2010

In short: friendly,fun & well organisedIn full: good intro for anyone who has never done a duathlon,really lovely setting,nice flat run and easy bike ride considering its the cotswolds area. cotswolds water park is great for families ,who can easily amuse themselves whilst the event takes place. i enjoyed this event so much I'm still on a high three days later,i cant recommend this event enough

In short: need more signsIn full: couldn't actually run it as had injuries but went to support a friend. Would be a fantastic race with a bit more organisation. Parked at a recommended carpark at Hampton Court Green and had to walk half an hour to the start with no directions or signs at all. First time to Bushy Park so got quite lost. Found it in the end. My friend said parts of the course were confusing and there weren't enough signs or marshalls to tell you where to go. If this improved I will definitely enter it next year and hopefully won't have injuries to stop me taking part.Date of review: September 10, 2009

In short: Very enjoyable and extremely well-organized, especially for a first timeIn full: This was a thouroughly enjoyable event. The organization was superb, especially since this was the first running of it. The course was clear and well-marshalled - full marks to the two young gentlemen near the end of the run, they were full of encouragement - and it started on time and went without a hitch.I'll definitely be back next year - see if you can do something about the weather!Date of review: September 10, 2008